The Chief Minister's Office of Uttarakhand announced on Monday, 25 May 2026 that Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami engaged in a direct dialogue with panchayat and urban local body representatives at the Vikas Khand Sabhagar in Khatima, under the Jan-Jan Ki Sarkar, Mukhyamantri Samvad (Government of the People, Chief Minister's Dialogue) programme.

Context

CM Dhami addressed elected representatives from panchayats and municipal bodies, emphasising that India's soul resides in its villages. He stated: 'The real progress of the country is possible only when our villages and towns become empowered, prosperous, and self-reliant.' He added that if villages develop, the state and nation will automatically reach new heights of progress.

The Chief Minister linked the outreach to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of making India a developed nation by 2047, framing grassroots governance as the foundation of the Viksit Bharat (Developed India) goal.

Policy Backdrop

CM Dhami outlined a range of state-level initiatives aimed at strengthening the local economy. These include the Ek Janpad Do Utpad Yojana (One District, Two Products scheme) and the House of Himalayas brand, which seek to give traditional Uttarakhand products national and international recognition.

He also cited the State Millet Mission, Farm Machinery Bank, Apple Mission, new tourism and film policies, the Home Stay scheme, Wed in Uttarakhand, and the Saur Swarozgar Yojana (Solar Self-Employment Scheme) as pillars of the state's push to fortify the district-level economy. These initiatives align with the national Atmanirbhar Bharat framework and the One District One Product model introduced at the central level.

The Lakhpati Didi scheme, running under the national DAY-NRLM framework, was highlighted as a milestone: the Chief Minister stated that more than 2 lakh 65 thousand women in the state have achieved 'Lakhpati Didi' status, earning at least Rs 1 lakh annually through self-help group enterprises, marking what he called a new chapter in women's empowerment.

Stakeholders and Impact

For students, Sathi Kendras — centres for holistic development and competitive examination preparation — have been established across the state. The programme directly benefits rural youth seeking to prepare for government and professional entrance examinations without relocating to urban centres.

CM Dhami also announced that a grand military memorial will be constructed between Khatima and Tanakpur, with work set to begin shortly. The memorial is expected to honour the region's deep connection with the armed forces and provide a landmark for the communities of Udham Singh Nagar district.

Senior officials and local representatives present at the event included District Panchayat President Ajay Maurya, Block Head Sarita Rana, Nagar Palika Parishad President Ramesh Chandra Joshi, Gram Pradhan Sangathan President Asha Bisht, DM Nitin Singh Bhadauria, SSP Ajay Ganapati, CDO Divesh Shasani, former MLA Dr Prem Singh Rana, and MP representative Ravindra Rana, among others.

What's Next

CM Dhami reiterated his government's 'vikalp rahit sankalp' — an unconditional resolve — to make Devbhoomi Uttarakhand the best state in India. He expressed confidence that the people of Khatima would continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the government in fulfilling this mission.

The immediate milestones to watch are the groundbreaking of the Khatima-Tanakpur military memorial and the continued expansion of Sathi Kendras to more districts, both of which will serve as concrete markers of the dialogue programme's on-ground outcomes.